Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-19


the girl, and both felt secretly conscious
to whom Katie's heart inclined. Christoph,
the calmer and more self-possessed, felt a
silent, blissful happiness taking possession
of his heart when the girl looked at him
with blue eyes so sweetly and kindly
Lars, more vehement, believed at times
that Katie loved him, her manner was
always so cordial But, again, when he
saw her with Christoph, a voice within
told him he was not the favored one, and
he suffered bitter torment. So it had
gone on till the evening when the young
fishermen returned together from the
shores. Christoph's heart beat fast at the
quiet, peaceful scene in old Mason's cot
tage, and it drew him back with irresist-
lble power to leave a greeting for the
beloved one. But after he had entered
the hall, in his effort TO close the door,
SO violently flung open by the storm, he
suddenly became conscious Of Katie in
his arms. And while il ragged and stormed
without he kissed her, and in wild hap
piness he whispered katie, do you love
me?" She did not answer, but her lips
pressed his.
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob StetIel
came by.
"You are early, though you came home
late. Were you with your sweetheart"
= Lars looked at him, red with anger. He
struck the wood with his ak, and the chips
flew far around.
Hohow continued the other, you did
not have good luck, it seems"
Keep stillp cried Lars. What is it
to you whether have good luck or not ~
Rob Steffel stepped nearer. "You are
unjust to me-" he said GA big fellow
like you should not take it so meekly.
Christoph has plainly taken the fish
away from you"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the AK convulsively "You and |
have no love for Christoph," continued
Rob; "let US join together against him."
and he held out his hand
want nothing to do with you," re-
piled Lars, and turned away, resuming his
work.
Rob Steffel laughed scornfully, and went
away, but resting that his words contained
remained in Lars breast. When the other
was out Of sight he flung down his ak, and
went back to the village. Slowly, with
downcast head, he walked. Before the
house Of old Mason he paused, then with
a sudden resolution he entered. But, as if
bound, he stood in the doorway-in the
room stood Katie tenderly embraced by
Christoph. A painful silence prevailed
for moment then Christoph stepped to-
ward Lars, put out his hand, and said 4:
Katie is my betrothed since last evening.
| intended to come directly to YOU and
tell you"
He did not answer, only bitter smile
quivered on his lips. 1t was excessively
painful to the girl. She felt what blow
she had given him, though blameless her
self. She longed to say something to him,
but could not find the right word. So she
only looked at him, and without speaking
held out her hand to him, but he turned
away and left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea cleaned in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and soft
wind was blowing. The day was favorable
for large haul. All the fishermen of the
village were gathered together, the nets
and oars were put into the boats, the sails
spread wide, and the little fleet sailed far
out into the broad, beautiful sea. Katie
stood on the shore, sending greetings to
her sweetheart as long as boat was in sight.
Then she went home, smiling happily to
herself. She had much to do. After she
had seen to her old father, who sat quietly
in his chair and smoked short pipe, she
went about her work How it few under
her hands to-day, though frequently she
stopped, gazing down lost in sweet dreams.
Then she worked so much the faster
again. SO hour after hour flew by I'M
needed. At last the days task was ended
and Katie went to the door. But the
weather had changed, the sun had disap-
peared behind thick clouds and the sky
hung in gray folds over the sea. The
fishermen also had finished their work.
The rich booty lay in the boats, promising
fine reward for their hard labor. But in
the east it was black and threaten
ing. They must reach home before
the storm came on. The little sails
spread ont, the ships flew over the water,
causing the foam to break over the deep
dripping sides. Then came the first blow
strong against the sails. The loaded boat
threatened to upset. The men were forced
to take in sails and trust wholly to the oars.
1t grew dark, and the sea lifted itself rest
lessly into huge, far-rolling waves Then
the storm broke loose with wild force. 1t
howled and dashed the sea till it reared in
short, foam-capped waves. The men
rowed with all their might; the shore
could not be far away, though it was not
visible in the darkness. Ahead of all the
others shot Christoph's boat; close behind
him was Lars. 1t seemed as if the two
were running a race for the safety of the
shore. A wave seized Christoph's boat,
lifted it high and flung it with its broad
side against the end of Lars vessel, break
ing it in. Lars saw it sinking before him.
A thought shot through his heart, fright
ful and vivid: "Let the waves bury
Christoph, and Katie is yours" But the
thought was gone in a moment; in the
next he had leaned far out, and grasped
the constant friend of his youth, now
struggling with death But he lost his
own balance sitting on the extreme edge.
He flung out his hand to catch hold of
something, but found nothing, and plunged
headlong. A huge wave seized the boat,
threw it far from the place, and in the
roaring of the waves a last despairing cry
was lost.
At last the fishermen had painfully
reached the shore. Women and old men
full of anguish stood waiting the return
ing ones.
Katie" cried voice from the dark
ness, and the girl felt herself embraced by
two arms.
"Christoph thank heaven that you are
here"
She led him to her house He was
silent all the way, only holding her fast.
She, too, hardly spoke. When they
reached the house, she noticed for the first
time that his clothes were saturated and
asked the reason. Then his mouth ouiv-
cred with repressed pain, while he an
swered:
Katie, the storm destroyed my boat.
Lars snatched me from the waves, but he
himself fell into the sea and -"
What ?" she asked breathlessly.
l could not save him." he said almost
inaudibly
After few days the sea washed the
body of Lars ashore. 1t was the only sac
rifice it had demanded that day. Lars
had no parents living, but even parents
could not have shed more burning tears
than Katie and Christoph when he was
buried in the little churchyard. The
thought of him, the consciousness that his
sacrifice had secured their happiness never